WLII-DT
A Spanish-language television station licensed to Caguas, Puerto Rico, operating under the TeleOnce brand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
WLII-DT is a Spanish-language television station licensed to Caguas, Puerto Rico, and serving viewers across the island. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 11 and is identified primarily with the TeleOnce brand. Its studio operations are based in Guaynabo, while its main transmitter is located in the mountainous area near the Carite State Forest. WLII-DT's Puerto Rico coverage is supplemented by satellite stations WSUR-DT in Ponce and WOLE-DT in Aguadilla. The station traces its origins to WKBM-TV, which began broadcasting in 1960 under the ownership and leadership of Rafael Pérez Perry. The original operation was known as Telecadena Pérez Perry and developed a distinctly Puerto Rican programming identity through variety shows, locally produced entertainment, news, opinion programs, telenovelas, and imported productions from Latin America. Its news operation, branded El 11 en Las Noticias, helped establish channel 11 as an important source of local journalism and provided an early professional platform for several Puerto Rican journalists. Following Pérez Perry's death in 1978, his family continued operating the business, but the company entered bankruptcy in 1981 and WKBM-TV went off the air. The station was acquired from bankruptcy proceedings by Lorimar-Telepictures, adopted the WLII call sign, and relaunched as TeleOnce in 1986. Warner Communications later obtained indirect control through its acquisition of Lorimar-Telepictures. During this era, the station expanded its audience with Spanish-language versions of popular American programs, Latin American serials, variety programming, local news, and weekend boxing. Agreements with western Puerto Rican stations and repeaters gradually improved its island-wide reach. Raycom Media acquired the station's ownership interests in the 1990s, and Univision first operated WLII and WSUR under a local marketing agreement beginning in 2002. Univision later purchased the stations in 2005 and acquired WSTE at the end of 2007. In 2014, Univision sharply reduced local production, laid off 109 employees, and closed most of the station's local programming and news operations. WLII consequently functioned largely as a retransmitter of Univision programming, with only limited original content. Liberman Media Group acquired WLII and its satellite stations from Univision in December 2020 after the transaction was announced in 2020. The new owner restored the TeleOnce identity in February 2021, rebuilt a local news department, and introduced a new schedule of Puerto Rican programming. The revived operation included Las Noticias TeleOnce, Ahora Es que Es, La Comay, Jugando Pelota Dura, and later La Bóveda de TeleOnce and En La Mañana. The station also distributed selected programs to mainland stations operated by Spanish Broadcasting System, marking a renewed effort to extend Puerto Rican-made programming beyond the island. WLII-DT is therefore both a broadcast outlet and a local media brand. Its business combines over-the-air television, local news, talk and entertainment production, network or syndicated programming, advertising inventory, and distribution through affiliated or digital platforms. Its programming strategy emphasizes Puerto Rican personalities, live local formats, news, sports discussion, entertainment, and culturally specific content. The station has also developed TeleOnce América, a FAST channel intended to make its original programming available to viewers in the continental United States. The station's future programming mix has been affected by changes in its relationship with TelevisaUnivision, including the announced end of its Univision affiliation and the migration of affiliated programming to WSTE-DT at the end of 2025.
History
WLII-DT began as WKBM-TV, a channel 11 station established by broadcaster Rafael Pérez Perry in 1960. Its early identity was Telecadena Pérez Perry, a locally oriented operation that combined Puerto Rican variety shows, news, commentary, imported telenovelas, and productions from Latin American partners. The station used additional facilities and affiliated outlets to extend its signal beyond the San Juan area, including coverage in southern and western Puerto Rico. The original station became known for local personalities and for the news program El 11 en Las Noticias. Its programming contributed to the development of Puerto Rican television talent, including journalists and entertainers who later became prominent elsewhere. Pérez Perry died in 1978 while working at a transmitter site. His family continued the business, but the operation entered bankruptcy in 1981 and WKBM-TV ceased transmission after its final news broadcast. Lorimar-Telepictures acquired the station from bankruptcy proceedings in the mid-1980s. The call sign changed to WLII-TV in December 1985, and the TeleOnce brand launched in April 1986 with the slogan “TeleOnce... ¡Vívelo!”. Warner Communications gained indirect control after acquiring Lorimar-Telepictures. Under this ownership period, WLII grew through a mixture of locally produced Spanish-language programs, Latin American serials, translated American shows, entertainment, news, and boxing. The station's western-island reach improved through affiliation and marketing arrangements with other Puerto Rican stations, including WNJX-TV and later WORA-TV. Malrite Communications Group acquired WLII in 1991, and Malrite subsequently merged with Raycom Media in 1998. In 1995, TeleOnce entered a marketing arrangement with WORA-TV, strengthening its access to western Puerto Rico. The station remained active in local production and maintained a recognizable news and entertainment presence, while also competing with major Puerto Rican broadcasters such as WKAQ-TV and WAPA-TV. Univision began operating WLII and WSUR-TV under a local marketing agreement in 2002. It completed the purchase of the stations in 2005 and later acquired WSTE. During this period the station was generally presented as Univision Puerto Rico, while WSTE remained a separate independent operation. WLII moved its San Juan facilities to Guaynabo in 2005. In October 2014, Univision eliminated most of the station's local production, dismissed 109 employees, and closed the established local news department. The station consequently became largely a retransmitter of Univision programming, with only a small amount of local content. The station's ownership changed again after investment firms ForgeLight and Searchlight Capital agreed in 2020 to acquire control of Univision Communications. Because of ownership-limit considerations and the relationship between the purchasers and Hemisphere Media Group, which owned competing WAPA-TV, WLII and its satellite stations were placed in a divestiture transaction. Liberman Media Group announced the acquisition in August 2020, and the sale closed on December 10, 2020. Liberman restored the TeleOnce name on February 18, 2021, and relaunched a local programming strategy. The station reopened its news department, revived Las Noticias, and introduced or restored programs including Ahora Es que Es and La Comay. José Enrique Cruz joined as an adviser to the rebuilt news operation, while Winter Horton was appointed general manager. WLII also launched a UniMás service on its second digital subchannel in March 2021. In July of that year, selected TeleOnce programs began airing on SBS-operated mainland stations in Florida, giving Puerto Rican-produced programming a new route to U.S. mainland audiences. TeleOnce continued investing in production facilities. In December 2021 it presented a new studio at The Mall of San Juan, and La Bóveda de TeleOnce became the first program to broadcast live from the new facility when it premiered in March 2022. The station later expanded its weekday schedule to include extensive original programming, local news editions, talk formats, sports discussion, and entertainment. En La Mañana, a successor to the earlier Tu Mañana format, premiered in 2023. In 2025, Liberman Media Group announced TeleOnce América, a FAST channel designed to distribute the station's original programming to mainland viewers through services including Plex, Amazon Freevee, FlixLatino, and BeondTV. Separately, TelevisaUnivision announced the end of its long-running affiliation arrangement with WLII. The change was scheduled for early 2026 but reportedly began at the end of December 2025, moving Univision and UniMás programming to WSTE-DT and leaving WLII to fill more of its schedule with local and original content.
- 2025
TeleOnce América announced
[1]Liberman Media Group announces a FAST channel for mainland U.S. distribution.
- 2022
New studio production begins
[1]La Bóveda de TeleOnce becomes the first program broadcast live from the new Mall of San Juan studio.
- 2021
TeleOnce identity returns
[1]The station restores its former brand and relaunches local news and original programming.
- 2021
UniMás Puerto Rico launches
[1]The station's second digital subchannel begins carrying UniMás programming.
- 2020
Liberman Media Group acquisition
[1]Liberman Media Group agrees to acquire WLII and its satellite stations from Univision; the transaction closes in December.
- 2014
Local news operation closes
[1]Univision ends most local production and lays off 109 employees.
- 2005
Univision completes station purchase
[1]Univision Communications acquires WLII and WSUR-TV and relocates WLII's studios to Guaynabo.
- 2002
Univision local marketing agreement
[1]Univision begins operating WLII and WSUR-TV.
- 1995
Western Puerto Rico marketing agreement
[1]TeleOnce begins a marketing arrangement with WORA-TV to strengthen western-island distribution.
- 1986
TeleOnce launches
[1]The station adopts the WLII call sign and relaunches with the TeleOnce brand.
Products and positioning
A Puerto Rico-focused Spanish-language broadcaster combining local news and original entertainment with island-wide terrestrial distribution and selected mainland digital or station-based distribution.
Local news · 1986
Las Noticias TeleOnce
WLII-DT's flagship news service, originally established in 1986 and discontinued in 2014 when Univision closed the station's news department. Liberman Media Group revived the format in 2021 as part of the TeleOnce relaunch. The service includes morning, afternoon, evening, and late-night editions and is distributed through the station and its Puerto Rico repeaters.
Morning news and talk · 2023
En La Mañana
A weekday morning program that revives the station's earlier Tu Mañana concept. The current version premiered in 2023 and combines news, interviews, panels, and topical segments for a Puerto Rican audience. The program operates from a separate studio in the Paseo Caribe complex in Old San Juan.
Game show · 2022
La Bóveda de TeleOnce
A TeleOnce game-show format introduced during the station's post-Univision expansion. Its first live broadcast from the station's new studio took place in March 2022. The program is part of the network's strategy of building original, locally produced entertainment around Puerto Rican hosts and audiences.
Sports talk and public affairs
Jugando Pelota Dura
A locally produced program focused on sports discussion, current events, and public conversation. It is among TeleOnce's core original weekday offerings and has also been included in the station's mainland distribution arrangements.
FAST streaming channel · 2025
TeleOnce América
A planned 24-hour free ad-supported streaming television channel intended to make TeleOnce programming available to mainland U.S. viewers. The announced service is designed to simulcast original WLII programming during much of the Puerto Rican broadcast day and to distribute the network through multiple digital platforms.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Return of TeleOnce
Puerto Rico
Liberman Media Group introduced a new logo, restored the TeleOnce name, reopened local news, and launched a schedule centered on Puerto Rican original programming.
Outcome. The relaunch generated strong reported ratings for several new and returning programs and re-established WLII as a local-content broadcaster.
- 2021Mainland Puerto Rican programming distribution
Puerto Rico · Orlando, Florida · Tampa, Florida
TeleOnce entered a distribution agreement with SBS-operated stations so that selected WLII programs could air live or on a same-day basis in Florida.
Outcome. The arrangement gave Puerto Rican-produced local programming a mainland broadcast outlet.
- 1986TeleOnce brand relaunch
Puerto Rico
The station relaunched under the TeleOnce name with the slogan “TeleOnce... ¡Vívelo!”, repositioning channel 11 after its bankruptcy-era interruption.
Outcome. The TeleOnce identity became the station's principal brand through 2002 and was later revived in 2021.
Brand decisions
2025
Expansion into FAST distributionStrategyBackground
TeleOnce sought to reach Puerto Rican and Spanish-speaking audiences outside the island through streaming distribution.
Action taken
Liberman Media Group announced TeleOnce América, a 24-hour FAST channel carrying TeleOnce programming.
Aftermath
The service was announced for distribution through Plex, Amazon Freevee, FlixLatino, BeondTV, and other prospective platforms.
2025
End of TelevisaUnivision affiliationStrategyBackground
TelevisaUnivision announced a change to its long-running affiliation arrangement with WLII.
Action taken
TelevisaUnivision programming moved to WSTE-DT, while WLII planned to expand local news and other original programming and discontinue the UniMás service on its second subchannel.
Aftermath
The change reduced WLII's access to imported Univision and UniMás programming and increased the strategic importance of TeleOnce-owned content.
2021
Rebuild of local news and entertainmentStrategyBackground
Liberman Media Group sought to differentiate the station from a network-programming repeater and reconnect with Puerto Rican viewers.
Action taken
The station revived Las Noticias, introduced new local formats, appointed an adviser for the news department, and expanded live production.
Aftermath
WLII returned to a substantially more locally focused operating model.
2020
Sale to Liberman Media GroupM&ABackground
The change in control of Univision and ownership-limit considerations required the divestiture of WLII and its satellite stations.
Action taken
Liberman Media Group agreed to acquire WLII, WSUR-TV, and WOLE-DT, completing the purchase in December 2020.
Aftermath
The new owner restored the TeleOnce brand and expanded local news and original programming.
2014
Univision reduces local productionStrategyBackground
Univision reviewed the operating model of WLII during a period when the station faced the cost and competitive pressures of Puerto Rico's television market.
Action taken
The company eliminated most local programming, dismissed 109 employees, and closed the local news department, leaving only minimal original output.
Aftermath
WLII operated primarily as a Univision programming outlet until its sale to Liberman Media Group.
Recent events
- 2025
TeleOnce América announced as a FAST channel[1]
Product launch
Liberman Media Group announced a 24-hour FAST service intended to distribute TeleOnce programming to viewers in the continental United States.
- 2025
TelevisaUnivision affiliation expected to end[1]
Leadership change
TelevisaUnivision announced that its affiliation arrangement with WLII would end around the turn of 2026, with affiliated programming moving to WSTE-DT and WLII expanding local and original programming.
- 2022
La Bóveda de TeleOnce premieres from new studio[1]
Product launch
The game show became the first program to broadcast live from the station's newly introduced studio facilities.
- 2021
TeleOnce brand and local programming return[1]
Product launch
New ownership restored the TeleOnce identity, relaunched local news, and introduced a broader slate of Puerto Rico-produced programs.
- 2021
TeleOnce programming expands to mainland stations[1]
Other
A distribution agreement placed selected TeleOnce programs on SBS-operated stations in Orlando and Tampa.
- 2021
TeleOnce unveils new studio facility[1]
Other
The station presented a new studio facility at The Mall of San Juan as part of its effort to expand original production.
- 2020
Liberman Media Group announces acquisition of WLII[1]
M&A
Liberman Media Group announced a transaction to acquire WLII and its satellite stations from Univision, with the sale completed later that year.
- 2014
WLII reduces local programming and staff[1]
Leadership change
Univision laid off 109 employees and canceled most local programming, leaving the station primarily dependent on network programming and limited local output.
- 2002
Univision assumes operation of WLII and WSUR[1]
M&A
Univision entered a local marketing agreement to operate WLII and WSUR-TV before later acquiring the stations.
- 1986
Channel 11 returns as TeleOnce[1]
Other
After acquisition from bankruptcy proceedings, the station adopted the WLII call sign and relaunched under the TeleOnce name.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/wlii-dt · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled